In celebration of the 2025 Children’s Day, Wema Bank Plc has unveiled 12-year-old Chiderije Mbah as its One-Day Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, highlighting the bank’s commitment to grooming future leaders and promoting early financial literacy.
Mbah, who was officially unveiled on Tuesday, May 27, at Wema Bank’s headquarters in Marina, Lagos, emerged winner of a nationwide online challenge aimed at encouraging children to dream big and engage with the banking sector from an early age.
The initiative formed part of the bank’s broader Children’s Day campaign and its ongoing 80th anniversary celebrations.
According to a statement by the bank, Mbah’s entry—a passionate video detailing his ambition to lead a bank and his vision to make financial services more child-friendly—stood out among dozens of submissions.
To qualify for the competition, participants were required to post a video dressed in Wema Bank’s signature colours, share their banking aspirations, and hold or open a Royal Kiddies Account (for children aged 0–12) or ALAT Xplore Wallet (for teenagers aged 13–17).
The campaign, which combined creativity, education and digital engagement, introduced thousands of children across Nigeria to key banking concepts while fostering leadership skills and self-confidence.
Mbah was welcomed to the head office with a purple-carpet reception and had a packed day in the role.
He received a guided tour of the bank’s facilities, held a strategy session in the boardroom, and addressed top executives.
Speaking during his time as CEO, Mbah expressed his excitement, saying, “This is the best day of my life. Wema Bank made me feel important.
I am learning so much about being a leader and how banking works. I’ll tell all my friends to open a Wema Bank Royal Kiddies Account so they can also start learning how to save, and maybe one day, they can be MD too!”
Wema Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Moruf Oseni, noted that the initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to empowering future generations.
“Our 80th anniversary is a time to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going, knowing fully well that the future belongs to young stars like Mbah.
“Today’s activity is one of our ways of showing that we believe in the children, that we’re listening, and that we’re committed to helping them succeed financially, personally, and professionally all the way,” Oseni said.
Wema Bank, which has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading innovative financial institutions over its eight-decade legacy, continues to prioritize inclusivity and digital transformation through platforms like ALAT and youth-oriented campaigns.
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